Chapter 1

THE PROBLEM
Introduction
Cognizant to Republic Act 6975 Section 35 B.3 cited the appointment of
Protection and Security Unit of the Philippine National Police. It is headed by a
Director with the rank of Chief Superintendent, Police Security Unit shall provide
security for government officials, visiting dignitaries and private individuals
authorized to be given protection. However, it is also stated in section 30 that the
appointment of police officer (i) must weight not more or less than five kilograms
of the standard weight corresponding to his/her height, age and sex. Likewise,
as amended in Republic Act No. 8551 section 30, for the purpose of determining
compliance with the requirements on physical and mental health, as well as the
non-use of prohibited drugs, the PNP by itself or through a NAPOLCOM
accredited government hospital shall conduct regular psychiatric, psychological
drug and physical tests randomly and without notice. This above provision of the
law justifies the intense implementation of health requirement prior to
appointment at the Philippine National Police.
Subsequently, health is one of the vital needs of human being necessary
for the existence and betterment of life. However, many of the people experience
depression in their health because of many uncommon diseases that sprouted
not only in our country but to the whole world as well. Unfortunately, some of
those diseases are not curable, easy to spread

and rarely to have vaccine for

prevention. Significantly, no one is exempted to be attacked by these threats in

human health even health professionals and those jobs which involve working

with people like policemen. In addition, the lifestyle of current generation perils
their health causing their immunity to hazard causes to flag down. Hence, several
number of policemen nowadays are becoming heavier setting aside the truth that
physical built is significant to their job. Physical Fitness and Health are not priority
of most of our protectors since many factors that indeed contribute to their health
and lifestyle causes to becoming unfit to work. Former and Current Police Chiefs
stressed the significance of physical fitness to the policemen across the country
to exercise their job to the extent of service. They strongly believed that service
policemen who had a bulky body built have difficulty to run and chase the
snatchers and other persons involved in crime. The reason why at that time
policemen are required to perform physical fitness activities and balance diet is
strongly advised. It came to the point that waistline was measured to determine
the right body posture and built and ensure that appropriate weight was
maintained.
Police security and protection group performs an exceptional job for they
are responsible in giving security to government officials and other important
persons that need to be secured when a situation threatens their life. It is difficult
to fight against the assault if the members of the security dont have enough
training and knowledge to handle the situation. In addition, their heavy body
would contribute to their difficulty to save the threat against the attack of the
criminals and offender. Definitely, policemen must maintain desirable body weight
to exercise their job competently and save the people against those who actually
threatened the peace and order of our community. Undeniably, having desirable

body weight would probably results to good health, which is also necessary to all
government workers. Hence, employees should also maintain healthy lifestyle
because an annual medical assessment would determine their fitness to perform
and retain in their chosen job, otherwise an early disability retirement will be
recommended.
The preceding statement insists that policemen must undergo health
maintenance and embrace the healthy living and lifestyle because of its
necessity to their field of work. A balance diet and physical fitness activities would
result to suitable body weight in performance of their job. Furthermore, other
related factors that contribute to their health must be given due importance to be
more appropriate is discharging their duties and responsibilities to the people
they are serving.
Relatively, the World Health Organization (WHO) defines Health as a state
of complete physical, mental and social well-being and merely the absence of
disease or infirmity. With this definition, the study was conceptualized and that
health must be given due importance particularly to the people whose job needs
protection and security to the fellowmen. Specifically, this research study will
assess the health of the respondents in the three factors given by the World
Health Organization in their definition of health; physical, mental and social
health. The lifestyle will also be included to assess their work attitude, personal
routine including culture and beliefs. The personal profile of the respondents will
be determined using triangulation method of research to be correlated with their
health status and lifestyle. The output of this study was utilized in the formulation

and implementation of program that would help for the maintenance of physical
fitness and wellness of the police security and protection group of the Philippine
National Police. Likewise, the results of this study would be the basis of the
reflection of the policemen that health is vital to their duties and that a program
which will be formulated based from the results of this study would be strictly
implemented to come with the best service to the people.

Background of the Study

Today it seems physical fitness is a priority in many peoples lives. It has
been shown that the rewards of both strength training and cardiovascular
exercise can drastically improve the quality of ones life in many ways. Living a
long, healthy life, free from heart disease, high blood pressure, and obesity
should be a goal for everyone. Being fit creates a stronger, more confident
person, both physically and mentally. Exercise reduces daily stress, allowing you
to concentrate at work and relax at home. With all the benefits a fit lifestyle
brings, why is it that so many police officers are unfit? Solid research has shown
the life expectancy, after retirement, of a police officer is much shorter than that
of the general population. The enormous problems experienced by unfit and
unhealthy officers are devastating. The suicide rate, divorce rate, and a host of
other health related issues, including alcohol abuse, is much higher for police
officers than the current national averages. The reasons for these problems are
many, complex and varied. Unique occupational stresses, and leadership issues
all play a part. Lack of proper diet and exercise coup with the many stresses of

the job is a disastrous recipe often ending in premature death, or a life, which at
best, may be categorized as non-wellness. Through proper training, guidance,
education, and support, many of our nations law enforcement officers can be
restored to lifelong health, fitness, and overall wellness. Officers who understand
the importance of taking care of themselves become positive role models within
their departments, their families, and their communities. Many, who have
implemented personal fitness and training programs into their daily routines,
have recognized the many benefits. The benefits of fitness programs go beyond
just work related benefits, but improve the overall quality of life for those who
commit to the lifestyle of fitness.
An individual's health depends a lot on their lifestyle. Maintaining physical
and mental health is crucial to an individual's longevity. The more time spent on
hygiene, physical fitness, and diet regulation, the healthier lifestyle they have.
Those who chose to participate in any kind of physical activity on a weekly basis
are generally healthier than those who don't. Mental illness may occur through
various variables. For example, depression may promote mental illness through
stress and anxiety. Reasons for being depressed can be due to a number of
things including job loss, recently widowed, divorce, etc. Depression may lead to
or increase the frequency of poor habits not promoting physical health. Poor
habits may eventually lead to a poor or even dangerous lifestyle. More
interestingly, a healthy or unhealthy lifestyle will most likely be transmitted across
generations. Police Officers usually exposed to lifestyle changes leading to their

health risks. The nature of their work may contribute to lifestyle changes and
probably health risks.
More than half of all personnel in the headquarters of the Philippine
National Police are overweight, while almost one in 10 is obese, records at the
organizations Health Service showed. According to PNP Health Service statistics
3,283 officers and workers at the PNP national headquarters are overweight,
while 588 are obese. There are 6,253 members of the PNP at Camp Crame out
of a workforce of about 140,000 nationwide. On the other hand, 2,376 PNP
workers at the camp have healthy weights, while there are only six below their
ideal weight, according to figures provided by Senior Superintendent Ma. Angela
Manas Vidal, Director of the Health Service. An overweight adult has a body
mass index (BMI) a measure of body fat calculated based on ones weight and
heightof between 25 and 29.9 while an obese adult has a BMI of 30 and
above. In a May 23, 2014 memorandum to PNP personnel, Vidal stressed the
importance of proper diet and exercise among members of the police force. As
cited from Vidal, one person every 20 seconds suffer heart attack and over 1.5
million people per year undergo heart surgery citing obesity as among the factors
that put people at a higher risk of developing heart diseases. Risk factors may
include: high cholesterol, high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, physical
inactivity, and being overweight or obese. Significantly, it is important for
policemen and women to be physically fit considering the nature of their jobs.
The work of a policeman is more physical than most other jobs. Those on patrol
beats need to walk all the time, so they cant afford to be heavy. Those who are

overweight cant chase criminals if theyre too heavy or too weak. Many police
officers were exposed to harsh conditions every day, making it all the more
important for them to engage in physical activities to improve their health.
In view of the preceding statement, this study aims to describe the health
status of police officer especially those who are involved in police security and
protection group. Their health status indicates their fit to work and perform their
duties with high level of competency and or either suggests significant
information on how to maintain good health. The independent variables utilized in
this research are the demographic profile of the respondents which deemed
relevant to assess their differences in health state and lifestyle. However,
dependent variables include health status and lifestyle indicators such as
physical, mental and social health, likewise in lifestyle such as work values,
personal routine, culture and beliefs. The demographic profile will be assessed
its relationship with the health status and lifestyle by using quantitative and
qualitative treatment. The differences in the respondents according to their profile
will also be tested relative to health status and lifestyle. The output of the
research will be the basis in developing appropriate program for physical fitness
and wellness.

Statement of the Problem

This study titled: Health and Fitness Status and Job Performance of
Police Security and Protection Group Personnel aims to describe the health
status and lifestyle of the Police Security and Protection Group and develop a

certain program to enhance their physical fitness and maintain their wellness to
be more productive and efficient in discharging their duties as protector of the
nation.
Specifically, it sought answer to the following questions:
1. What is the health and fitness status of the PSPG personnel in terms
of:
1.1 physical health,
1.2 psychosocial health, and
1.3 lifestyle?
2. What are the health and lifestyle problems of the PSPG personnel
along
2.1 physical, and
2.2 psycho-social?
3. What is the job performance of the PSPG personnel per category?
4. Is there a significant relationship between health and fitness status and
the job performance of the PSPG personnel?
5. What are the existing health and wellness policies, standards and
programs?
6. What measures may be derived from the study to address the health
and wellness of the PSPG personnel in terms of:
6.1 policy implication,
6.2 fitness and wellness program?

Scope and Limitation

The study is limited to its problem, respondents, place and time to define
clearly its scope and research limitation.
Problem. The problem primarily focused in assessing and describing the
fitness status, lifestyle and job performance of the policemen designated at the
protection and security group. The indicators of fitness status includes physical
health, social health and lifestyle. This indicators were described according to the
responses of the respondents on their own personal perception. The output of
their responses would answer the question: what is the health and fitness status
of PSPG personnel. In addition, the health and lifestyle problems of the
respondents were also described along physical and psycho-social aspect. This
determined how the respondents would carry their tasks as policemen despite of
their problems in health and lifestyle. This answered the second question: what
are the health and lifestyle problems of the PSPG personnel along physical and
psycho-social aspect. Furthermore, the job performance of the respondents is
also included to justify the notion that health and lifestyle would probably affect
their role and responsibilities as policemen. The performance appraisal system
used by the policemen were utilized to gather information about the job
performance of the respondents. This answered the third question: what is the
job performance of the PSPG personnel per category? Likewise the job
performance of the respondents was correlated with the health and fitness status
of the respondents to determine the significant relationship of health and their job
performance. The existing health and wellness policies, standards and programs

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were also determined to come up with the modified fitness and wellness program
based from the output and responses of the participants of the study. This would
answer the fourth and fifth questions: what are the existing health and wellness
policies, standards and programs? What measures may be derived from the
study to address the health and wellness of the PSPG personnel in terms of
policy implication, fitness and wellness program?
The fitness status, lifestyle and job performance vary from one person and
to another person. The assessment specifically evolved on the definition of
health according to World Health Organization such as physical, mental and
social health. Likewise, the lifestyle also include on the work attitude, personal
routine, culture and beliefs. The reason why some policemen have different
health state due to their lifestyle that can be seen from their work attitude,
personal routine and relatively to the culture and beliefs. The job performance
determines the capacity of the respondents to carry their tasks and
responsibilities as policemen.
Respondents. The participants of the study are policemen who are
assigned at the security and protection group. This group of policemen are
responsible of giving security to VIPs and other personnel that required by the
law to have utmost protection and security including those who become a state
witness of some crimes. Out of 1,277 members of Police Security and Protection
Group, there are 100 policemen who served as respondents of this study based
from the computation using Slovin Formula. They were selected using
Convenience Sampling Technique (Tan, 2006) where only those available and

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on-duty personnel during the day of administration of questionnaire were

selected as the sample.
Place. The study took place at Camp Crame. This camp is the general
headquarter of Philippine National Police where most of the policemen including
those with higher ranks were called to report. It is located in the National Capital
Region within the vicinity of Quezon City.
Time. The study started on July 2014 and expected to complete on March
2015.

Significance of the Study

The study is relatively significant to many aspects of Philippine National
Police and other profession interested in Physical Fitness and Health. It would
seem self-evident that an occupation such as policing would demand
that police officers stay fit as a part of the job requirements. Police
officers are engaged in physical challenges on a regular basis.

For

example, they chase fleeing suspects: they climb over fences and onto
roof tops; they subdue resisting arrestees; and they lift heavy objects
such as recovered stolen property. These often daily job requirements
require strength and endurance that is obtained by a combination of
aerobic and anaerobic exercise. Adding to this physical challenge is the
fact that officers must carry bulky items of additional weight on a pistol
belt: handgun, baton, mace, handcuffs, and Taser. Therefore, it would
seem appropriate that police and sheriff departments would emphasize

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fitness by providing gym memberships to officers as an incentive, or

that police officers would be self-motivated and place emphasis on
fitness and reserve off-duty time to maintain fitness. Fitness/wellness
of police officers has been the focus on many studies; nevertheless,
the authors felt it needed attention once again. Fitness is an important
and vital factor for the success of policing, and this paper looks at a
sample of police officers to see the results.
Particularly, this study would be beneficial to the following:
Police Officers. The results of the study would benefit the
police officers through the Physical Fitness and Wellness Program
which will be formulated based from the output of the research.
Policemen should be physically fit to be able to discharge his function
in the community as protector of the community people against crime
and other incidents that may cause harm or threat the peace of the
nation.
Police Administration. The Police Chiefs would probably adopt
the Physical Fitness and Wellness Program which will be formulated
based from the research output. The implementation of the program
would help to augment the resolve cases due to the alertness and
efficiency of the policemen to work against crime through their good
physical health.
Criminology Students. The students aspiring to be policemen
would prepare themselves of desirable body weight through the results

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of this study. The qualification of criminology students must be based

on the advocacy of the Philippine National Police to have physically fit
and normal body weight. The Physical Fitness Program to be suggested
by this research would be best to apply among freshmen students in
their physical education classes.
Education. The Physical Fitness Program may be adopted as the
basis of addendum in the curriculum of Criminology. The advocacy of
the Philippine National Police to have physically fit policemen shall be
most effective when started in the training of aspirants. This advocacy
must also be embraced by the Commission on Higher Education.

NOTES
Raymundo S. Abad Keeping Healthy Through Good Lifestyle The Modern
Teacher, July Edition 2013 page 21.
Rodelia g. Magno An Article: The Significance of Physical Fitness Published by
Health and Home Vol.II pages 56-58 September 2012 Edition Philippine
Publishing House
Dina H. Tolentino News Headline, The PNP Physical Fitness Program,
The Manila Bulletin, June 14, 2013

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